| R.E.M. – Nightswimming Lyrics | 18 years ago |
|
the first time i heard this song was my freshman year of college. I had joined a band with some friends of a friend in philly, and after our first practice they were driving me back to the train station. We were all feeling great - still coming down from the high of new friends and the prospects of new music. this cd came on, and everyone else immediately began singing along at the tops of their lungs. i'll always associate this song with that moment....the windows down, wind whipping in my face, feeling new and anonymous among relative strangers, but comfortable and safe. a beautiful song and a beautiful memory. |
|
| Kevin Devine – No Time Flat Lyrics | 18 years ago |
|
its 2008. the state of the union address was tonight. i just got home from seeing kevin devine play. when he played this, he prefaced it by saying that he wrote it four years ago, but when you listen to it, nothing has really changed. so fucking sad. |
|
| Steel Train – I Feel Weird Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| its definitely about getting over that relationship, but i think leaving it at that is a little too focused. its about coming out on the other side of a really dark time to find something better than what you thought you lost. about letting go of what you've been carrying with you and embracing what it is that you have, not what you lost. I think this song is something really special, because it really spells out the pieces that have framed this album (and their last album). and to see jack play it, its just so cathartic. | |
| Kevin Devine – Not Over You Yet Lyrics | 18 years ago |
|
http://youtube.com/watch?v=y51tXNrl838 kevin tells the story i just paraphrased and plays this song. |
|
| Kevin Devine – Not Over You Yet Lyrics | 18 years ago |
|
the story kevin told to introduce this song. Kevin was on exstacy (he suggested trying it once, and leaving it at that) one night, and was talking with a girl he was dating (who is now dating someone else, better for everyone said he). she said she loved this song and asked who it was about. In his brutally honest, drug addled state, he replied with the far too true answer of "your best friend". not necessarily what the song is about, but a funny compliment to it nonetheless. |
|
| Brand New – Millstone Lyrics | 19 years ago |
|
from Matthew, chapter 18, verse 4 and 5: "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. " when you make that connection the religious undertones of this song really jump out. it makes the "father's work" into gods work, and given the context of the biblical reference, into (leading others towards) a childlike humility and religious piety. Jesse places this in contrast to new sin (and not just sin, but leading others to sin as well…does jesse see himself as a false idol, leading others in some unholy way? I don’t know if I believe this, but its interesting to think about). i think this song, as well as much of this album, is about understanding the complicated balance of one's own morality. Its about understanding oneself in terms of this morality as well as that of religious morality. He’s caught in limbo, both wanting death (take me out tonight) and life (throw me that lifeline, to save my life…), wanting to give himself over to good but feeling unable or unworthy of repentance. Complicated song, and a complicated album. But in a really amazing way. |
|
| Thrice – The Earth Will Shake Lyrics | 20 years ago |
| i think this song can be taken in many different ways. Its literal interpretation is about escaping the shackles of oppression, and the hope of future freedoms. I think this is especially resonant with the call and response interlude, which (as dustin points out) sounds like a chain gang, slave refrain. At the same time, though, i dont think it should be limited to something that specific in its meaning. I think it can be seen in terms of salvation and eternal life, happiness and oppressive relationships, etc. etc. Overall, a really versatile and moving song. | |
* This information can be up to 15 minutes delayed.